Bulldogs seize four of six points against U-M

By Tom Morelli/Ferris State Beat Writer

Two weeks after pulling off a sweep against Bowling Green, the No. 17 ranked Ferris State Bulldogs returned to the ice in top form this past weekend to earn a 5-0 decision and a 3-3 tie against the likes of Michigan.

Following a quiet first 20 minutes of play in Friday's match-up, the Bulldogs found their offensive spark in the second period by rattling off three goals within a 12-minute span.

Sophomore Simon Denis led the charge on a power-play marker at the 6:23 mark, with helpers being credited to forwards T.J. Schlueter and Justin DeMartino.

In his first game back from injury, senior winger Eric Alexander registered his third goal of the campaign, which came while on the man-advantage.

Just before the end of the frame, freshman Matt Robertson tallied his first collegiate goal, courtesy of classmates Kenny Babinski and Brandon Anselmini.

Freshman Dakota Klecha finished off a pass by fellow first-year player Sean O' Rourke nearly six minutes into the final period to put Ferris State ahead by four goals.

The Bulldogs' final score came at 17:52 when junior forward Garrett Thompson blasted the puck past Woleverines goaltender Jordan Rutledge while on the penalty kill.

Sophomore netminder C.J. Motte finished with 27 saves, compared to Rutledge's 22.

In the series finale, sophomore Jason Binkley put Ferris State ahead 1-0 just 42 seconds into the contest, but Michigan quickly countered with scores by A.J. Treais, Cristoval Nieves and Lindsay Sparks to nab a 3-1 lead by period's end.

Senior forward and team captain Kyle Bonis though would breathe some life back into the Bulldogs' side over the final 40 minutes, contributing a pair of goals to force an extra session.

With neither team able to light the lamp in overtime, the game went to a shootout, where Luke Moffatt scored the decisive goal to earn the Wolverines an extra point in the CCHA Standings.

Motte held a narrow edge in the saves department over counterpart Steve Racine, 39-36.

Ferris State (7-4-3 overall, 6-3-1-0 CCHA) venture to Kalamazoo this weekend for a two-game slate against Western Michigan, while Michigan (5-8-2 overall, 3-6-2-2) remains idle.